Scoring Device for a Throwing Game

ABSTRACT

A throwing disc, goal apparatus, and game are provided. A disc includes a central hub with blades projecting equiangularly from the hub. The blades are circumscribed by and joined to an outer perimeter ring that aids in throwing. The blades of the disc act as airfoils and impart unique flight characteristics to the disc. A goalpost is comprised of two vertical sections, joined by a horizontal cross-bar located above the midline of the vertical sections, and supported by a rectangular frame oriented perpendicularly to the vertical sections. A scoring pad is included. The game is played by tossing the disc and attempting to pass the disc while in flight between the vertical posts and above the horizontal cross-bar of the goalpost, and landing the disc on the scoring pad.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to a throwing game. Moreparticularly, the present application involves a unique flying disc usedin combination with a goalpost and scoring pad to play a throwing game.

BACKGROUND

There is a long history of children and adults using flying discs forrecreational use. From a basic throw and catch game using a FRISBEE tomore advanced games where points are scored, the prior art disclosesmany examples of different approaches to flying disc games. Examples ofdisc games in the prior art can be divided broadly into two categories:creation of unique flying discs and creation of unique flying gamesutilizing a traditional FRISBEE flying disc.

Notwithstanding the field of prior art, there remains opportunities toexperiment and develop improvements to both the flying disc and themethod of gameplay with that disc. This is precisely what has beenundertaken here, and the disclosed flying disc, goalpost, and scoringpad present a unique disc game suitable for outdoor or indoor play.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with an illustrated preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, a flying disc possessing radial blades positioned uniformlyabout a central hub, fixed to both the central hub and a peripheral ringare provided, The radial blades may be positioned at an angle relativeto the hub and periphery optimized to allow the blades to act asairfoils, providing loft, The radial blades provide the disc with flightcharacteristics markedly different from the traditional FRISBEE, andsuch flying characteristics are uniquely suited for the game disclosedhere. The peripheral ring of the disc may be perforated with circular,equally spaced holes which both allow air to pass through the peripheryand decrease weight. Although described as being circular, equallyspaced holes, the apertures of the peripheral ring may be variouslyshaped such as oval, triangular, slotted, or irregular and they may allbe of the same shape or some or all can be of different shapes. Further,although described as being equally spaced, the apertures of theperipheral ring may be unequally spaced in accordance with variousexemplary embodiments of the flying disc. The peripheral ring enablesthe player to throw and catch the disc effectively.

The construction of the disc allows a player to throw the disc away fromthe player and into the air. Once the disc passes its apex, the airfoileffect of the radial blades impart lift forces to the disk, which causesthe disc to stall in flight and descend to the ground near the point ofits apex. Instead of the even, shallow, parabolic flight path typical ofa FRISBEE disc (a solid circular plastic disc), the flying discdisclosed here provides a flight path characterized by a steady, linearascent to apex, at which time the disc fails to the ground nearlyvertically from its apex, creating an asymmetrical flight path.

The invention also includes a goal apparatus. The goal apparatus may becomposed of PVC plastic pipe or similar, and consists of two sectionsoriented vertically, connected above the midpoint of the verticalsections by a horizontal cross-bar. Connected perpendicularly to thebottom of the vertical sections is a rectangular base. The base connectsto the vertical sections at the midpoints of the length of therectangle. Contained within the rectangular base is a scoring pad, whichmay be fabricated from nylon mesh or similar material. The scoring padis divided into scoring regions.

The game is played by players standing a distance from the goalapparatus, and tossing the disc towards the goal apparatus by impartinghorizontal spin to the disc. Scoring requires directing the flying discthrough the vertical sections and above the horizontal cross-barsection. Additional points are awarded by landing the disc on thescoring pad. The unique flight characteristics of the disc make thisgame possible. The flight path of a traditional FRISBEE does not permita player to pass the disc both over the goalpost and land it on thescoring pad. The first player to reach a predetermined number of pointswins.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including thebest mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is setforth more particularly in the remainder of the specification, whichmakes reference to the appended Figs. in which: FIG. 1 shows a plan viewof the flying disc constructed with the preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 1( a) is a cross-sectional view of the disc of FIG. 1 taken frominside of the disc between the hub and the outer ring looking towardsthe inside of the outer ring.

FIG. 1( b) is a side cut away view of the disc of FIG. 1.

FIG. 2 shows a front view of the goalpost with the preferred embodimentof the present invention, including the rectangular support meansaffixed to the vertical sections.

FIG. 2( a) is a side view of the goalpost of FIG. 2.

FIG. 3 shows a plan view of the scoring pad and rectangular base.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification anddrawings is intended to represent the same or analogous features orelements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF REPRESENTATIVE EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to embodiments of the invention,one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Eachexample is provided by way of explanation of the invention, and notmeant as a limitation of the invention. For example, featuresillustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used withanother embodiment to yield still a third embodiment. It is intendedthat the present invention include these and other modifications andvariations.

It is to be understood that the ranges mentioned herein include allranges located within the prescribed range, As such, all rangesmentioned herein include all sub-ranges included in the mentionedranges. For instance, a range from 100-200 also includes ranges from110-150, 170-190, and 153-162. Further, all limits mentioned hereininclude all other limits included in the mentioned limits. For instance,a limit of up to 7 also includes a limit of up to 5, up to 3, and up to4.5.

What is generally disclosed is a flying disc and goal apparatus thatenables a player to play a unique flying disc game. The flying disc iscomposed of two coaxial rings, a larger outer ring 1 and an inner ring2. Outer ring 1 and inner ring 2 are connected by fixed blades 3 thatact as airfoils and impart loft to the disc. The disc may be fabricatedfrom molded plastic, although other materials, such as balsa wood, couldbe used.

The goal apparatus may be composed of PVC plastic or similar materials.The goal apparatus consists of two vertically oriented sections 10,connected above the midpoint of the vertical sections by a horizontalcross-bar 11. Connected perpendicularly to the bottom of the verticalsections is a rectangular base 12. The base connects to the verticalsections at the midpoints 13 of the length of the rectangular base 12.Support is provided by strings 14 attached to vertical sections 10.Support arms 15 provide additional support and stabilization to thevertical sections. Contained within the rectangular base 12 is a scoringpad 16, which may be fabricated from nylon mesh or similar material, Thescoring pad 16 is divided into zones 17, only a few of which are labeledin FIG. 3, that disclose different point awards based on where the disclands. In FIG. 3, four scoring regions or zones 17 are shown, a leftzone 17, a right zone 17, and two middle zones 17. Individually, eachone of the two middle scoring zones 17 are smaller than the left andright scoring zones 17 and are arranged so as to be even in size withone another.

Players take turns throwing the disc between the vertical goal posts 10and above the horizontal cross-bar 11, attempting to land the disc onthe scoring pad 16 for increased points. The first player to score apredetermined number of points is the winner.

FIGS. 1, 1(a) and 1(b) show the disc in a preferred embodiment, wherethe overall symmetry and shape of the ring is depicted. The central hubof the disc 2 consists of a two-inch diameter cylinder. A ¾ inch hole 4is cut into the center of the cylinder and may be completely orpartially filled or covered with a piece of transparent plastic so thatone may look through the hole 4 to see a scoring zone 17 or other areabelow the disc onto which the disc or the center of the central hub 2rests. A preferred embodiment of the blades 3 may be eight 4.5 inchblades (length) situated every 45 degrees around the hub, bearing aseventeen degree angle 18 from horizontal 5. In accordance with otherexemplary embodiments the angle 18 may be from five degrees to fortyfive degrees, or up to sixty degrees from horizontal 5. A preferredembodiment of the outer ring 1 is eleven inches in diameter and 1.25inches in height. The peripheral ring 1 is oriented coaxially to theinner ring 2, The blades 3 connect to the outer ring 1 and inner ring 2,The peripheral ring 1 is perforated with small, evenly sized and spacedround holes 6.

The disc depicted in the drawings is a right handed disc for beingthrown by the right hand of a user. The disc can be rearranged so thatit is configured as a left handed disc for use in being thrown by theleft hand of the user, In this regard, the tilt of the blades 3 isreversed, For example, the angle 18 may instead of being seventeendegrees, may be one hundred and sixty three degrees to effectreorientation of the blades 3 for a left handed disc.

FIG. 2 shows the goal post in its preferred embodiment. In its preferredembodiment it is constructed of plastic pipe ¾ inch in diameter, Apreferred embodiment of the vertical sections 10 is twelve-foot longvertical sections 10, joined together by a nine-foot wide horizontalcross-bar section 11 connected eight feet above the bottom of thevertical sections 10. A rectangular base 12, in a preferred embodimentof ten feet by nine feet, attaches perpendicularly to the verticalsections 10 at the midpoint of its length 13 and sits upon the ground,

The scoring pad 16 is placed in the rectangular frame 12.

FIG. 3 depicts the scoring pad 16 and goal post base 12 in its preferredembodiment. The scoring pad 16 is placed on the ground and fits to theedges of the rectangular base 12. In a preferred embodiment the scoringpad 16 may be composed of nylon mesh. The scoring pad 16 is divided intodifferent scoring regions 17 with pre-assigned point values.

While the present invention has been described in connection withcertain preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that the subjectmatter encompassed by way of the present invention is not to be limitedto those specific embodiments. On the contrary, it is intended for thesubject matter of the invention to include all alternatives,modifications and equivalents as can be included within the spirit andscope of the following claims.

1.-4. (canceled)
 5. A goalpost and scoring pad for a throwing game,comprising: two vertically oriented sections connected above midlines ofthe two vertically oriented sections by a horizontal cross-bar; arectangular base oriented perpendicularly to the vertically orientedsections, wherein the rectangular base is attached to the verticalsections at a midpoint of a length of the rectangular base; additionalstabilizing means including strings connecting the vertical posts toground and support arms connecting the vertical posts to the ground; anda scoring pad divided into different scoring regions placed within therectangular base.
 6. (canceled)
 7. A scoring device for a game,comprising: a first vertical section; a second vertical section; ahorizontal cross-bar that engages both the first vertical section andthe second vertical section, wherein both the first vertical section andthe second vertical section extend vertically higher than the horizontalcross-bar; a base from which both the first vertical section and thesecond vertical section extend; a first scoring region locatedvertically lower than the horizontal cross-bar and forward from thehorizontal cross-bar; and a second scoring region located verticallylower than the horizontal cross-bar and rearward from the horizontalcross-bar.
 8. The scoring device as set forth in claim 7, wherein thebase is rectangular in shape, and wherein both the first scoring regionand the second scoring region are located completely within a perimeterdefined by the base.
 9. The scoring device as set forth in claim 7,wherein the first scoring region and the second scoring region are partof a scoring pad.
 10. The scoring device as set forth in claim 9,wherein the scoring pad is made of nylon mesh.
 11. The scoring device asset forth in claim 7, wherein a part of the first scoring region isdefined by the base, and wherein a part of the second scoring region isdefined by the base.
 12. The scoring device as set forth in claim 7,wherein the horizontal cross-bar is located vertically higher than amidline of the first vertical section, and wherein the horizontalcross-bar is located vertically higher than a midline of the secondvertical section, wherein the base is rectangular in shape, wherein thefirst vertical section is located at midpoint of a length of the base,and wherein the second vertical section is located at the midpoint ofthe length of the base.
 13. The scoring device as set forth in claim 7,further comprising: a first support arm that engages the first verticalsection at a height of the first vertical section vertically lower thana point of engagement between the first vertical section and thehorizontal cross-bar, wherein the first support arm is free fromengagement with the base; a second support arm that engages the secondvertical section at a height of the second vertical section verticallylower than a point of engagement between the second vertical section andthe horizontal cross-bar, wherein the second support arm is free fromengagement with the base; a first string that extends from the firstvertical section to the base; and a second string that extends from thesecond vertical section to the base.
 14. The scoring device as set forthin claim 7, wherein the base rests on top of and engages ground.
 15. Thescoring device as set forth in claim 7, wherein the base defines a dosedperimeter.
 16. A scoring device for a game, comprising: a first verticalsection; a second vertical section; a horizontal cross-bar that engagesboth the first vertical section and the second vertical section; a basefrom which both the first vertical section and the second verticalsection extend, wherein the base extends from the first vertical sectionto the second vertical section; and a first scoring region locatedvertically lower than the horizontal cross-bar.
 17. The scoring deviceas set forth in claim 16, wherein the base defines a closed perimeterthat is both forward and rearward of the horizontal cross-bar in alength direction of the base; wherein the first vertical section, thesecond vertical section, and the horizontal cross-bar do not extendbeyond the base in the length direction of the base and in a widthdirection of the base.
 18. The scoring device as set forth in claim 16,further comprising a second scoring region located vertically lower thanthe horizontal cross-bar and rearward from the horizontal cross-bar;wherein the first scoring region is located forward from the horizontalcross-bar; wherein both the first scoring region and the second scoringregion are partially defined by the base; wherein both the firstvertical section and the second vertical section extend verticallyhigher than the horizontal cross-bar; and wherein the horizontalcross-bar engages both the first vertical section and the secondvertical section above midlines of the first vertical section and thesecond vertical section in a vertical direction.
 19. The scoring deviceas set forth in claim 16, wherein the base is rectangular in shape andis oriented perpendicularly to the first vertical section and the secondvertical section, wherein the first vertical section engages the base ata midpoint of a length of the base, and wherein the second verticalsection engages the base at the midpoint of the length of the base. 20.The scoring device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the first scoringregion is part of a scoring pad that is made of nylon mesh, and whereinthe scoring pad and the base define a second scoring region that islocated vertically lower than the horizontal cross-bar and rearward ofthe horizontal cross-bar; and further comprising a third scoring regionthat is located vertically lower than the horizontal cross-bar and ispart of the scoring pad.
 21. The scoring device as set forth in claim16, wherein the base rests on top of and engages ground.
 22. The scoringdevice as set forth in claim 16, further comprising: a first support armthat engages the first vertical section at a height of the firstvertical section vertically lower than a point of engagement between thefirst vertical section and the horizontal cross-bar, wherein the firstsupport arm is free from engagement with the base; a second support armthat engages the second vertical section at a height of the secondvertical section vertically lower than a point of engagement between thesecond vertical section and the horizontal cross-bar, wherein the secondsupport arm is free from engagement with the base; a first string thatextends from the first vertical section to the base; and a second stringthat extends from the second vertical section to the base.
 23. Thescoring device as set forth in claim 16, wherein the base forms a closedperimeter, wherein the first scoring region is located in the closedperimeter.